Road tolls Spain 2023 → Price, how to pay, toll roads

Barbora Kollárová

Published on 13.2.2023

• Drivers of motorcycles, cars and lorries have to pay tolls for driving on Spanish motorways.
• Fees are collected at toll gates, the amount of the fee is determined by the length of the motorway section and the category of vehicle.
• Driving through selected tunnels is also charged by a special toll.

1. 

   Spanish road tolls in 2023

   The price of toll in Spain depends on the distance traveled and the category of the vehicle. Toll stations are operated by dozens of companies, but on average, the fees cost around €9,50 per 100 km. A comprehensive overview of toll fees and a toll calculator can be found on the official website Autopistas.com.

   Vehicle categories in Spain

   In Spain, vehicles are divided into the categories of light vehicles (Ligeros), and heavy vehicles 1 and 2 (Pesados 1 and 2). However, this is just a general classification, vehicle categories may vary depending on the operator.

   • Light vehicles | Ligeros
     Motorcycles
     Passenger cars, passenger cars with a trailer
     Vans and minibusses with 2 axles and 4 wheels
   • Heavy vehicles 1 | Pesados 1
     Trucks and two-axle trucks with trailers
     Tri-axle vehicles
   • Heavy vehicles 2| Pesados 2
     Trucks with or without a trailer with 4 axles and more

   Toll prices of selected road sections in Spain 2023

   Motorway section	Motorcycles	Passenger cars	Trucks (Pesados 1)
   Barcelona – El Vendrell (68 km)	€5,99	€12,44	€21,96
   Bilbao – Zaragoza (305 km)	€36	€36	€65
   León – Astorga (51 km)	€5,50	€5,50	€7,35

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2. Toll payment in Spain 2023

   In Spain, most toll road sections work on the basis of a closed system. This means that when you enter the motorway, you pick up a ticket at the turnstile and pay at the exit or at the end of the toll section.

   Payment in cash or by card

   Tolls can be purchased at the toll stations in cash or by credit card. Among the accepted cards are MasterCard, Visa, Diners and many others. When paying in cash, banknotes with a maximum value of 50 euros are accepted. In the case of coins, all are accepted except for the 1- and 2-cent coins.

   Via-T electronic tolls

   Via-T is an electronic toll payment system. To use this system, an electronic device must be attached to the windshield of the car to record each passage through the toll gate. Drivers with the Via-T device do not have to stop at the toll gates. The tolls are calculated automatically and charged once a month. The users of this device get a special discount of up to 50% off on selected toll road sections.

   Bip&Drive

   An elegant solution is the use of Via-T through the service Bip&Drive. Bip&Drive provides automatic toll collection in Spain, Portugal, and France.

   The service offers parking in more than 100 car parks throughout Spain, including some residential areas. It is possible to choose from several options featuring regular payment, which include rental of the device, its administration and account management. Motorcycle drivers can also rent an armband from Bip&Drive as another alternative that can replace the electronic toll payment equipment.

3. Paid road sections in Spain 2023

   Motorways in Spain are divided by their name into Autovía and Autopista. Roads marked as Autopista (AP) are usually toll roads, and Autovía (A) roads are free. Roads near Madrid are marked as Radial (R) and Motorway (M). Roads marked as Radial (R) are tolled, and Motorways (M) are usually free of charge.

   Toll roads in Spain

   • AP-1 Burgos – Armiñón
   • AP-2 Alfajarín – Barcelona
   • AP-4 Dos Hermanas – Cádiz
   • AP-6 Collado Villalba- Adanero
   • AP-7 France A9 – Barcelona – Valencia – Guadiaro
   • AP-8 France A63 – Trapagaran
   • AP-9 Ferrol – Santiago de Compostela – Portugal A3
   • AP-15 Tudela – Pamplona – Irurzun
   • AP-36 Ocaña – La Roda
   • AP-41 Madrid – Toledo
   • AP-46 Alto de las Pedrizas – Málaga
   • AP-51 Villacastín – Ávila
   • AP-53 Santiago de Compostela – Ourense
   • AP-61 San Rafael – Segovia
   • AP-66 Campomanes – La Virgen del Camino
   • AP-68 Bilbao – Zaragoza
   • AP-71 León – Astorga
   • AG-55 A Coruña – Carballo
   • AG-57 Puxeiros – Baiona
   • C-16 Sant Cugat – Manresa (E 9)
   • C-32 Castelldefels – El Vendrell
   • C-32 Montgat – Palafolls
   • C-33 Barcelona – Montmeló
   • M-12 Madrid – Barajas
   • R-2 Madrid / M-50 – Guadalajara
   • R-3 Madrid / M-40 – Arganda
   • R-4 Madrid / M-50 – Ocana
   • R-5 Madrid / M-40 – Navalcarnero

   Map of highways and toll roads in Spain

   An indicative map of the Spanish toll roads is available on Via-T and their price lists on Autopistas – Tarifas.

   Road sections charged with a special toll

   In addition to tolls that must be paid when driving through certain roads and motorways in Spain, driving through tunnels is also charged. Toll tunnels include, for example Cadí Tunnel and Vallvidrera tunnels. Double tariff applies at the Vallvidrera tunnels. There is an additional payment when driving through the tunnel during peak hours, which is in the morning from 7:30 to 10:30 and in the afternoon from 17:00 to 21:00.

   Price for driving through certain tunnels in Spain 2023

   Tunnel	Motorcycles	Passenger cars	Trucks
   Tunel del Cadi	€10,86	€13,48	€29
   Tunels de Vallvidrera during peak hours	€3,80	€4,88	€7,67
   Tunels de Vallvidrera outside of peak hours	€3,38	€4,34	€6,82

4. Motorways in Spain: Speed limits, fines…

   Speed limits in Spain

   • In urban areas: 50 km/h
   • Outside urban areas: 90 km/h
   • On expressways: 100 km/h
   • On motorways: 120 km/h

   Fines related to tolls

   Fines for unpaid tolls can be charged by the police on the spot, with the amount of up to €300.

5. Speeding fines in Spain 2023

   While in many other European countries the maximum allowed speed has been reduced, in Spain this trend has failed despite the decline in accidents.
   You can still drive on motorways with the maximum speed of 120 km/h, on expressways with the speed of 100 km/h, and in urban areas with the speed of no more than 50 km/h.

   If you receive a fine from the automatic radar in your mailbox, you can reduce the fine by half with expedited payment. However, beware that by doing so, you are giving up your right to appeal against it. On roads and motorways, you can often see the so-called guardia civil, i.e. a public guard, which can be recognized by their dark green cars. Local police officers are often lenient and helpful if you need advice.

   In Spain, radar detector devices are banned. Drive carefully, especially on motorways around cities and in the Canary Islands, where driving speed is often measured.

   Speeding in urban areas

   • 1-20 km/h: €50
   • 21-30 km/h: €150 and 2 penalty points
   • 31-40 km/h: €200 and 4 penalty points
   • 41-50 km/h: €250, 6 penalty points and suspension of driver’s license for 1-3 months
   • 51-60 km/h: €300, 6 penalty points and supension of driver’s license for 1-3 months
   • more than 60 km/h: 6-12 monthly fines can be imposed which are calculated according to your salary/wage. Imprisonment may alo be at stake for the duration of 3-6 months. Furthermore, 12 penalty points will be subtracted

   Speeding outside urban areas

   • 1-30 km/h: €50
   • 31-50 km/h: €150 and 2 penalty points
   • 51-60 km/h: €200 and 4 penalty points
   • 61-70 km/h: €250, 6 penalty points and suspension driver’s license for 1-3 months
   • 71-80 km/h: €300, 6 penalty points and suspension driver’s license for 1-3 months
   • more than 80 km/h: 6-12 monthly fines can be imposed, calculated according to salary/wage. Imprisonment may also be at stake for the duration of 3-6 months. Furthermore, 12 penalty points will be subtracted

6. Driving fines in Spain 2023

   Since 2006, a penalty points system for assessing traffic offences has been in place in Spain. A driver has 12 points on their account, the so-called “puntos“, from which penalty points for committing offences are deducted. Novice drivers, or drivers who get back their driving licence after it has been suspended start with 8 points.

   Offences usually deduct around 2, 3, 4 or 6 points. Generally, you cannot lose more than 8 points per day. You can lose all points only in case of committing serious offenses, such as driving under the influence of drugs or with a high amount of alcohol in your blood, or if you exceed the speed limits by more than 50%, etc.

   If you afterwards behave well on the road, you can get your points back. If you do not lose any more points within two years since the last committed offence (or three years since committing a very serious offence), you will return to the original 12 points.

   If you run out of points, your driver’s license will be seized and you will be prohibited from driving any vehicle. After 6 months, you can take a course and an exam and apply for a new driving license.
   If you drive with 0 points on your account, you are committing a crime and risk imprisonment for 3 to 6 months.
   A new road law has been in force since this year’s March, which has tightened some penalties for traffic offenses.

   • Driving without lights in poor visibility – €200 and 3 penalty points
   • Driving under the influence of alcohol – up to €1 000 and 6 (max. 12) penalty points
   • Driving without fastened seat belts – €200 and 4 penalty points
   • Using a mobile phone while driving – €200 and 6 penalty points
   • Driving with a child without a restraint system – €200 and 3 penalty points

7. Driving in Spain 2023

   Mandatory car equipment in Spain

   • Reflective vest
   • Warning triangle (2 pieces per each vehicle registered in Spain)

   A fire extinguisher is mandatory for buses and large commercial vehicles.
   Drivers and passengers of motorcycles, mopeds, and ATVs are required to wear a safety helmet.

   Tires

   The minimum tread depth is 1.6 mm. In Spain, there is no general obligation to use winter tires.
   In some regions, the obligation of winter equipment is marked with the appropriate traffic sign. Snow chains are mandatory in heavy snow and on roads that are heavily covered in snow. They can be driven at a maximum speed of 50 km / h.
   Studded tires are allowed when there is snow or ice on the road.

   Seat belts

   The use of seat belts is mandatory for all passengers of the vehicle.

   Children in the vehicle

   Children with a height of up to 135 cm or children under the age of 12 must be transported in a child car seat or on a booster seat suitable for their height and weight. From this age and height, children can be transported in the passenger seat and use an adult seat belt.

   Drinking and driving

   In Spain, the following limits apply to the amount of blood alcohol level in per mille:

   • 0,5‰ – general limit for all
   • 0,3‰ – beginner drivers who have held a driving license for less than two years
   • 0,3‰ – professional drivers, ambulance drivers, drivers of dangerous goods, or special transport drivers

   Penalties for blood alcohol levels higher than the legal limit are as follows:

   • 0,3 – 0,5‰: €500 and 4 penalty points
   • 0,5 – 0,6‰: €1 000 and 6 penalty points
   • more than 0,60‰: a crime punished by 3 to 6 months imprisonment, 6 to 12 months community service (or fines), and suspension of DL for 1 up to 4 years

   Daytime running lights

   Daytime running lights are mandatory for motorcycles and mopeds.
   They are not mandatory for other vehicles. However, it is necessary to turn on the lights in the tunnels as well as in poor visibility.